La Folie Lodge

Arriving to La Folie Lodge begins with adventure, as a boat whisks you across the river to your abode. On arrival, you'll discover charming stilted buildings, traditional Laotian decor and a lovely restaurant at the heart of it all, its open sides offering glimpses of the panoramas of the river. The menu changes daily, but includes a mix of both local and western dishes. At the end of the day, the only place to be is by the pool to enjoy the sunset, cocktail in hand.

The 24 stilted bungalows are scattered across the tropical grounds. There are two standard rooms which look onto the garden, but the rest are superior rooms offering views of the river from their own private balconies. Rooms feature locally-made furnishings with lots of hand-carved elements (count the number of elephants you can find), en suite bathrooms with plenty of hot water, and air-conditioning. If you're looking for something a step up, and a touch more space, check out the Ban Lao suite and the two-bedroom The Residence.

The highlight here is really the incredible Wat Phou temple. Hop onto the boat and float across the river to get there - tuk tuks are readily available on the other side - and time your visit for sunrise to see the pre-Angkorian ruins at their best. Otherwise, stay on the island and explore either by bike or by foot, discovering the nearby villages, learning about the people who inhabit them and, if your timing is right, perhaps taking part in an ancient ritual or ceremony.